Civics Full Course - Teacher Moderated

Course Description

Civics/ Government is designed to help individual students become more aware of the benefits of citizen involvement in American politics. This course includes the factors affecting political behavior; the philosophical basis of a democratic society; a pragmatic view of the system’s operation; the political, economic and social factors and their impact on political behavior and decision-making; the relationship of the branches of government; and the impact of political decision-making on social, economic and political issues. This course will place an emphasis on individual reading, writing, and oral communication skills within the social sciences. This is a high school level, college preparatory course.  Students are expected to have completed US History 1 and US History 2 as prerequisites to this course.

Teacher Moderated

This course is self-paced and may be purchased and completed at any time.  A credentialed Social Science and Education Specialist teacher teaches this class.  The teacher grades and leaves feedback on each assignment and assessment and provides an overall grade and certificate of completion upon completion of the course.  The teacher communicates with both students and parents on student progress.   

Materials:

• Laptop or desktop computer with high speed internet connection
• Web camera with the ability to show a 360 degree view of the room
• A Google account (to complete assignments using Google Drive)
• A Zoom account (to take proctored exams)
• Book:
  • The 5000 Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen
    • New about $18-20
    • Used about $4
    • Audio CDs about $17
    • Free through your local library or Archive.org

Course Outline

Unit 1: Federal Foundations

Unit 2: Political Parties

Midterm Exam (covering units 1 and 2)

Unit 3: Legislative Branch

Unit 4: Executive Branch

Unit 5: Judicial Branch

Final Exam (covering units 3, 4, and 5)

Each unit of study includes a combination of:

• Activities
• Lecture Notes
• Video Notes
• Writings
• Short-term projects
• Article Reading and Analysis

Grades are composed of the following:

Assessments (30%) of total grade: Students will take a midterm and a final exam.  Each exam will be proctored by the instructor using Zoom and has a 60 minute time limit.  There will be an optional study guide for students to complete before each exam.  Students will only have access to exams once all assignments in the preceding units are complete. Exams can only be taken once.

Projects (30%) of total grade: Students will complete 8 projects in this course; 3 long-term projects and 5 short-term projects.  The long-term projects include a book report, community service, and a research project. Students are encouraged to work on their long-term projects throughout the course. The long-term projects may be submitted once for a final grade. The 5 short-term projects are included in each unit and may be redone for full credit up until the exam is taken.  

Writing (30%) of total grade: Throughout the course, students will be writing summaries, analyses, critiques and connections based on material learned through the assignments.  Each of these writings will be graded on a rubric and may be redone for full credit up until the exam for that unit.

Assignments (10%) of total grade: Students earn points for completing assignments.  The assignments will be graded according to a rubric and may be redone for full credit up until the exam for that unit.  Students must complete all the assignments in a unit before moving on to the next unit.  

Grade Breakdown:

1. 89.50-100%    A
2. 79.50-89.49% B
3. 69.50-79.49% C
4. 59.50-69.49% D
5. 0-59.49%        F

Class Pacing:

Student Choice: Students have 1 year from point of purchase to complete the course.  Students may complete the course at their own pace. 

Recommended Pacing: The course is designed as a 12-week course.  The recommended pacing to complete in 12 weeks is 5 hours a week, or 1 hour a day.  This is about 2 assignments, 1 presentation, or 1 assessment a day.

Completion:  Course will be considered complete upon the execution of the final exam and completion of all projects.  Within 2 weeks of completion, students will receive a digital certificate including their final grade in the class.